Brookside Elementary School Multi-Use Building

The Elementary School was in need of an enlarged and upgraded multi-use building.  The peak loads for the multi-use during community functions exceeded the footprint of the existing building constructed in the 1940’s.  The scale and massing of the building would be influenced by county sewer easements, adjacent residences, and an informal undeveloped driveway student drop-off zone.

Design Challenge

The primary objectives were to create a new focal point from the main school entry drive, to accommodate peak loads through the use of roll-up doors for spill over seating, and to create an efficient budget conscious design through the use of simple forms and materials in energetic ways.    

Physical Context

The forms and glazing patterns took their cue from the existing character of the surrounding school buildings.  The multi-use room was designed as a simple rectangular volume with material efficiencies in mind.  As we developed ways to engage a new entry while addressing easement constraints restricting building placement, a concept emerged placing the stage forward as a signage mural anchoring the entry sightline and utilizing the sewer easement berm in the rear as extended amphitheater seating.  The scale of the multi-use was broken down adjacent to the residential neighbors through the 1-story volumes of support rooms that staggered in a saw tooth fashion to follow the sewer easement.   The roof is designed for a future photovoltaic array.  Embracing the grade school context, the design team utilized color to add interest and natural woods to add warmth. As the campus is upgraded and modernized in the years to come, the hope is that this new building will set the tone and inspire the design of future construction.